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What’s the Difference Between Health and Wellness?
At first glance, you might think health and wellness are the same thing. Both are tied to an overall sense of well-being and constitute the building blocks of a happy and easeful life. But, without a clear understanding of their differences, you may struggle to achieve lifelong health and all around wellness. In short, health is typically defined as a state of being (free from illness, injury, disease), whereas wellness is the journey of achieving and maintaining a high quality of life.
Let’s cut through the confusion by defining these oft-misunderstood terms and illuminating the relationship between health and wellness—while providing some practical tips for improving both.
What is Health?
Health, according to traditional Western medicine, is typically defined as the state of being free from illness or injury. However, the World Health Organization defines health1 as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” In the medical field, health is measured based on vital signs like resting heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and other metrics like weight or bloodwork that can determine physical health. But, these data don’t tell the whole story. Mental and social health are also core components. Let’s look at some key indicators of this trio.
| Type of Health | Typical Indicators |
| Physical | Normal blood pressure (90/60mmHg – 120/80mmHg2) Healthy cholesterol levels (below 200 mg/dL3) Optimal fasting blood sugar (typically below 100 mg/dL4) Healthy weight Steady resting heart rate Efficient digestion and regular bowel movements |
| Mental | Emotional stability and self-regulation Good sleep and energy levels Positive self-esteem Resilience and ability to tolerate stress Healthy coping mechanisms Sense of purpose |
| Social | Maintaining healthy relationships Being engaged in your community Respecting others Managing anger Feeling empathy for and connection to others |
What is Wellness?
In the past decade, wellness has become a trendy buzzword—used haphazardly in marketing—to promote a myriad of products and industries. So what does it actually mean?
Unlike health, wellness is the multidimensional pursuit of overall well-being. Whereas health is often defined as a state, wellness is a process or a lifelong journey. You can think of it as a holistic approach to overall health—more like a lifestyle encompassing all aspects of your daily existence: your body, career, relationships, emotional life, intellectual growth, personal development, daily habits and more. A focus on wellness shapes how you live your life and your daily routine.
It’s also important to note the distinction between wellness and well-being, as they are often used indistinguishably. Wellness is the process of making lifestyle choices to attain and sustain good health, while well-being is the holistic state of feeling happy, healthy, and satisfied. Wellness is the path we take to achieve well-being.
The Many Dimensions of Wellness
As noted earlier, optimal wellness is a multifaceted process. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a U.S. federal agency that works to improve treatment of mental health disorders and substance abuse problems, has defined eight separate dimensions of wellness.
| Dimension of Wellness | Components |
| Physical | Nutrition Exercise Adequate sleep Routine medical checkups Avoiding unhealthy substances like alcohol and tobacco |
| Intellectual | Engaging in personal interests and hobbies Conversation Education Brain exercises like puzzles or learning a new language or instrument |
| Emotional | Acknowledging and managing feelings and emotions Engaging in self-care practices: journaling, walking the dog, cooking, team sports, quality time with friends and family, etc. Finding healthy stress relievers: exercise, meditation, time in nature, listening to music, bubble baths, etc. |
| Social | Developing and maintaining positive relationships Connecting to the community Meeting and engaging with new people and making friends |
| Financial | Financial planning and saving Budgeting and avoiding debt Retirement planning |
| Environmental | Spending time outdoors Cleaning and caring for your home Stewarding the environment and natural world: green living |
| Occupational | Finding and establishing a fulfilling career Maintaining work/life balance Growing your expertise and professional achievements |
| Spiritual | Determining and upholding your beliefs as guiding principles Engaging in spiritual and religious groups Meditation, prayer, quiet contemplation in nature |
Other organizations have distinguished nine, or even ten dimensions of wellness, which include additional facets such as cultural, creative, and digital wellness.
Health Versus Wellness: How Do They Differ?
Although health and wellness are similar terms, we’ve briefly outlined how their definitions diverge. Let’s dig a little deeper into what sets them apart.
Health is measurable, while wellness is experiential
Whereas health can be objectively determined by a clinical visit, wellness is more subjective, and is determined by the individual.
For example: A patient’s bloodwork may show they have a health condition like diabetes or high cholesterol. But, by taking steps towards wellness like eating less fat or sugar, and exercising more, a patient can improve those markers over time and feel a lot better both physically and mentally.
Health is reactive, while wellness is proactive
Health is focused on symptoms or indicators of illness, whereas wellness is preventative.
For example: A sore throat or cough may need to be treated as an illness, requiring rest and medication, whereas wellness practices like consistently getting enough sleep and staying hydrated can help support a healthy immune system to prevent cold and flu.
Health is a state, while wellness is a process
Health is a fluctuating state. A clinical visit provides a snapshot of your health based on measurable vital signs. However, wellness is a set of habits and choices that influence your health over time.
For example: You have a positive yearly check up with your general practitioner; all your vital signs are good and you’re at a healthy weight. Your GP asks you how you’re maintaining such good health, and you tell her about your daily wellness practices: cooking healthy food, walking at lunchtime, and practicing yoga.
Good health is necessary for surviving, while wellness is about maintaining health and thriving
For example: Someone might show normal or healthy vital signs during a doctor’s appointment. However, they might feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and unhappy with their life. By adding some new wellness practices like weekly therapy, a new hobby, a meditation practice, and a daily walk outside in the sunshine, general well-being could improve dramatically.
What is the Relationship Between Health and Wellness?
Although health and wellness aren’t the same, they have a symbiotic relationship. It’s hard to maintain good health without focusing on wellness. And vice versa: poor health can lead to poor lifestyle choices.
For example, if someone is feeling major stress from a massive life change like a divorce or job layoff, they might feel exhausted and depleted, causing them to skip meals, numb out with more doomscrolling, sleep less, make poor food choices like sugary and salty snacks, and withdraw from friends and family, which exacerbates their stress levels. In turn, these poor habits can cause adverse health effects such as depression and anxiety, decreased immunity, weight loss or gain.
However, if that same person adds wellness practices to their life to manage stress, such as a meditation practice or walk outside in the morning and a calming bedtime routine, stress levels may drop, sleep quality improves, and their mood stabilizes, which can influence overall health.
Here are some examples of how health and wellness are closely related and influence each other.
| Activity | Wellness Practices | Effect on Health |
| Sleep | Establishing regular bedtime Turning off screens an hour before bed | Better mood Stronger immune system Balanced metabolism Hearth health Sustained energy throughout the day Reproduction, reduced risks of chronic diseases, and many other aspects of health |
| Food choices | Shopping for and cooking healthy meals Eating balanced meals at regular intervals | Blood sugar is balanced Improved digestion and elimination |
| Exercise and movement | Biking instead of driving to work Taking a weekly yoga or pilates class | Better cardiovascular health Improved strength and bone density Better cognitive health |
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Practical Ways To Boost Health and Wellness
Improving your health and wellness is a daily commitment. However, even small steps can make a big difference. Here’s a list of tips to get you started.
How to improve your health:
- Get regular checkups with a physician to determine your baseline health metrics: vital signs, bloodwork, weight, and more. Discover where you may need improvement
- Limit harmful and addictive substances like alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs
- Manage chronic illnesses with appropriate medications and lifestyle changes
- Eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet
How to improve your wellness:
- Practice mindfulness, meditation, or yoga for stress management
- Maintain healthy relationships with family, friends, and colleagues
- Pursue hobbies and special interests: join a softball team or book club, learn how to play an instrument, etc.
- Engage in meaningful social interactions: plan regular game nights with friends, make time to see family, go to church or join a volunteer group
- Spend time outdoors in nature regularly: take a weekly hike in the woods, go swimming in the warmer months, take your lunch break outside
- Find time to recharge and unwind: take important “me time” on the weekends or evenings to rest and recuperate
- Talk it out: discuss problems and issues with a trusted friend or therapist
Combined health and wellness practices that make a big impact:
- Find consistent daily movement you enjoy: walking the dog, hiking with your kids, playing a team sport
- Slow down and take deep breaths whenever you start to feel overwhelmed to manage anxiety or feel panicked about making a decision
- Spend time in the sunlight to improve mood and get vitamin D
Widespread Myths about Health and Wellness
Because health and wellness are so closely related, misconceptions can arise. Let’s debunk a few common ones:
- More is better
Overexercising, engaging in detoxes or cleanses, extreme calorie restriction or fasting can all cause more damage than good. The key is to find a healthy balance and get plenty of rest.
- You need to be perfect to achieve good health
Wellness comprises a collection of healthy habits repeated over time. Don’t punish yourself if you miss a day of exercise or eat too much pizza. You don’t have to be perfect every single day, just consistent.
- If you’re not sick, you’re healthy
You can be in great health according to your doctor, but still feel tired, stressed, sad, or unfulfilled. If this is the case, try focusing on wellness and making some critical lifestyle changes.
- Wellness requires constant positivity
Life has its ups and downs and you are allowed to feel and express authentic emotions. In fact, pretending that everything is okay, may hinder your wellness and ability to ask for help when you need it.
Health and Wellness Go Hand in Hand
In conclusion, health and wellness are similar but not identical concepts. However, when pursued in tandem, health and wellness reinforce one another: helping us to live a longer, more balanced life. And, it’s not just about an increased lifespan, but about an improved healthspan: not just how many years you live, but how long you live in good health. Even making incremental changes daily can help improve your quality of life. So, start small in order to build a lasting foundation for health and wellness to root and grow stronger over time.
FAQ
Expert Board Member
If you think of your life as a movie, wellness is the storyline, while health is a snapshot. The article makes the distinction between these two clear and shows how everyday habits—sleep, movement, nutrition, recovery—support long-term health. As wellness is gaining momentum, it’s easy to focus on self-improvement and forget the social piece—but our relationships with others are an equally important component and should not be overlooked.
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